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165
Sanatorium treatment has benefitted many, but the time spent is
too short to effect a permanent arrest. It has educational uses and also
lessens infection by removing the patient for a time from his home
surroundings, and generally the number of bacilli diminishes under
Sanatorium conditions, and the system of graduated labour helps to
immunise the patient by autoinoculation.
Several cases have been sent to colonies for treatment and training
in some suitable occupation, but on the whole the result has been disappointing
as the town dweller takes badly to country life, and several
have given it up.
There has been considerable increase in the provision of beds for
advanced cases or cases where it is advisable to remove the patient on
Public Health grounds. This is a preventive measure of the utmost
importance, and it is hoped the accommodation will be still further
extended for both sexes. Efficient after care is hampered by need of a
fund for the relief of the necessitous, but it is hoped this may be available
in the future.
There are now three open-air schools under the County Council for
tuberculous children, and they have proved very successful. Twenty
children from Southwark are at present attending them and are being
educated and cared for under open-air conditions. By arrangement they
can have meals provided at cheap rates, or even if necessary have the
cost of the meals entirely remitted.
The extinction of a disease known to exist a couple of thousand
years ago is not to be attained in one generation, and though statistics
show a steady decline during the last sixty years, during which accurate
records have been kept, there is no doubt an additional impetus to the
decline has now been given by the extra knowledge we have attained
and the united efforts of preventive methods for its extinction.
The appended tables give a statistical summary of the work done
and results attained during the year.
I am, Sir and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
HORACE WILSON,
Tuberculosis Officer.